Principal Turbomachinery Engineer Verified today
About K2 Space
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown. Backed by over $1 billion in funding and with over $1 billion in signed contracts, K2 is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space, with multiple launches planned for 2027 and scaling to 100 satellites per year.
The Role
As Principal Turbomachinery Engineer, you will define how K2 designs, analyzes, manufactures, tests, integrates, and deploys precision turbomachinery for active thermal control systems on the company's 20-kW spacecraft platform. You will own these mission-critical mechanisms from concept through rate production, spanning mechanical, fluid, electromechanical, and thermal-fluid domains.
Responsibilities
- Lead architectural down-selection, design, and tolerancing of turbomachinery in the spacecraft active thermal control system
- Conduct pump- and mechanism-specific analyses: rotor dynamics, bearings and seals, hydraulic performance, structural, and thermal-fluid
- Develop environmental test and qualification plans, and ground- and in-flight performance validation plans
- Evaluate supply chain and high-volume manufacturing trades; select manufacturing equipment for specialty processes including impeller machining, balancing, and leak/flow testing
- Partner with thermal and platform architecture teams to define the long-term K2 pumped-fluid-loop roadmap and system performance requirements
- Collaborate with thermal, structures, avionics, and satellite bus teams to determine optimal pump operations and broader fluid loop requirements
- Prepare design reviews to secure stakeholder buy-in across hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams
- Own program deliverables and schedules throughout development and production
- Partner with production to develop work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 8+ years of experience with mechanical and/or electromechanical design and analysis
- 2+ years of experience designing and analyzing turbomachinery in harsh environments
- Experience with CAD or FEA software packages
Nice to Have
- Experience designing, building, and testing centrifugal or axial pumps for closed-loop thermal systems, including impeller geometry, volute/diffuser design, and hydraulic performance prediction
- Experience with NASA-STD-5017, SMC-S-016, and GSFC-STD-7000 for design and qualification of in-space Moving Mechanism Assemblies
- Experience with bearing analysis, preload techniques, and preload measurement
- Practical application of GD&T
- Demonstrated ability to own moving mechanism assemblies across the full product lifecycle in a high-velocity environment
- Understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments
- Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills across disciplines
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary: $175,000 to $200,000 plus equity
- Comprehensive benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, and paid parental leave
Export Compliance
This role requires access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. You must be a U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or certain protected individual) or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.